- Born
- 23 October 1920, Trinity Gask, Perthshire
- Died
- 23 January 1945, aged 24
- Fate
- Killed in action
Biography
Flight Sergeant George Thompson was a wireless operator awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for saving two of his crewmates from a burning Lancaster. Born at Trinity Gask in Perthshire on 23 October 1920, he served with No. 9 Squadron. On 1 January 1945, during a daylight attack on the Dortmund–Ems Canal, his aircraft was hit by flak and set ablaze. Thompson made his way through the burning fuselage and exploding ammunition to drag the mid-upper gunner clear, beating out the man’s burning clothing with his bare hands, then did the same for the rear gunner — suffering terrible burns to his own hands, face and legs. He lived long enough to learn that both gunners had survived, but died of his wounds on 23 January 1945. He is buried in Brussels Town Cemetery.
Burial / commemoration
- Cemetery
- Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgium
Timeline
-
23 October 1920
Born
Trinity Gask, Perthshire -
23 January 1945
Died
aged 24 -
20 February 1945
Gazetted: VC
Victoria Cross
Service
- Flight Sergeant, No. 9 Squadron
Awards
-
Victoria Cross (VC) — gazetted 20 February 1945